I am new to cat sailing and am looking to buy a 16 to use on a fresh water lake in Spokane WA. I have been reading some information on crew weight and am wondering if the 16 is the right boat for me. I am 6'4" weigh 220lbs and will be sailing with kids or buddies that weigh as much as I do. From what I have read the 17 would probably not be a good choice, 18 might be better. Could one person right a 18?
Thanks for the help.

Well i weigh 240 and am 6 foot even. I had myself and 2 other adults about 175 each for them and the 240 for me and that was ok.. I then added a forth person of about 200 lbs more and the boat dragged under water... im saying.. if you go over 600lbs it wont work!

One person can not right either a 16 or 18 without an aid of some kind (water bag, pole, etc.). At you weight a 16 would be a bad choice. You at 220 plus a crew of almost equal weight would add up to bad performance. A 18 would be a much better choice. A 20 would be another option. There are 18 foot boats that can be righted by one person, but the cost is higher. I do know boats available in the Northwest if you are interested in talking.

Me at 220, First Mate at 260, and Mrs. First Mate at 170, makes a STABLE boat, but trades off speed. Not too difficult to right with that much "help", but we never tipped it over until it was only two of us!!

I agree - not too much more than 600lb total crew weight is a goal to shoot for!

"One person can not right either a 16 or 18 without an aid of some kind (water bag, pole, etc.)."

A Hobie 16 can be right by a single sailor... You need some type of rope righening system (Hawaiian, retractable, ...) which is pretty much a standard system on most Hobies 16 (I would not sail with out one). You will need to learn the proper technique, which might take some practice. You should have some backup system (pole, bag, ...) for situations in which you capsize when the wind is too mild to assist you right the boat (this is part of the technique)
I (160 lb) sail most of the time alone capsize occasionally and righten 90% of the time with just the rope (I have a Hobie Garry style soloright pole as a backup).
With a 220 lb you will be able to right the boat in most situations without assistance of a second person or fancy equipment.

Thanks for all the input on the boat selection and how to right the boat. I'm leaning towards the 16 because of storage issues, the availability of parts, and cost. Ken, thanks for the offer and I will be emailing you for some more info.

I used to right my old 16 by myself all the time, Then I was 210lbs. you just have to wait for the wind to turn the boat 180' The wind on the tramp will make it come over.... One thing don't force it over with out wind, if there is not enough wind to flip you there isn't enough to flip you back...really.

Using the "Solo Upright" system, the Hawaiian righting line and in enough wind, I was always able to get my 16 up. I usually did not go over unless there was a lot of wind, logically, and the wind really helps. A water bag helped make it go a lot faster, but that solo-system was the real key.

At that time I only weighed about 130 at 5'6". (Now my waist is larger than my inseam - just kill me - and I think I am shrinking. I use the solo system on my 17 just to speed things up)

It takes practice to flop back when you flip, but it is not that hard.

Happy sails to all you frostbiters- I am breaking out the skis and board-

_________________The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

I am @ 195, my buddy is 230lbs and we tear around on a couple of Hobie Waves we got. THAT is the boat for a full sized guy to be solo on. TONS (no pun intended) of floatation and easy to right, also, for having a friend on the boat now and again it works fine. Try a Getaway too, better for more people.
I have a 14 that I think I am too heavy for, I have a 16 that once in a blue moon I can right by myself and we have access to the Waves that are EASY to get back over and really easy to sail.
$ .02 from Team Beef